ICYMI: U.S. Senator Katie Britt Warns of Chinese Humanoid Robot Threat in Joint WSJ Column

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2, 2024 – The Wall Street Journal recently published a column written by U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Commissioner Jacob Helberg of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission on the threat of Chinese humanoid robots. The two argue Congress must act to protect Americans from humanoids manufactured by the America’s adversaries.

Humanoid are robots that possess intelligence, agility, dexterity, and motor skills, which allow them to blend into our daily environment. This technology, although relatively new, is on the rise around the globe with many experts predicting it will become common place across industrial, commercial, and residential usages.

Select excerpts from the column are below. The full piece is available HERE.

“China wants to lead the world in all robotics—especially humanoids—and is able to do it for less, owing to its inhumane labor practices. Estimates indicate Chinese humanoids might cost as little as one-fifth as much as their Western competitors. And we know that Beijing is more than willing to violate international trade laws to dump cut-rate products into the U.S. and other markets, undercutting competition and emerging as the only option for consumers . . .”

“Humanoids will become important to almost every industry, which means the economy will be tied to the largest producer of these robots. Reliance on Chinese-made robots would tie American economic success to the goodwill of the Communist Party . . . ”

“Humanoid robots will have both defensive and offensive national-security implications. The U.S. military is exploring ways to incorporate humanoids into modern warfare, but China has already deployed armed robotics to the battlefield. If the U.S. falls further behind in such critical technology, our troops will face fatal disadvantages on the battlefield . . . ”

“We need to procure and develop this technology independent from China. The Defense and Homeland Security departments are already required by law to source some war-fighting technologies domestically. But humanoids could fit into statutory exceptions to these requirements.”

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